What: The Tyson Fitness Challenge is a fitness initiative that encourages physical fitness through fun activities with an emphasis on strength training, cardiovascular exercise, flexibility and good nutrition. Although the structure is for eight sessions, the program may be tailored to fit the curriculum and scheduling needs of each club. In addition to becoming more physically fit, participants also have the opportunity to raise funds to help kids in need through Children’s Miracle Network as part of National Gymnastics Day.
Who: The Tyson Fitness Challenge is geared toward children 6-16 years old. The 2010 edition again includes a developmentally appropriate program available online for children ages 4-5. This program reflects activities and timelines recommended by the USA Gymnastics Preschool Fundamentals course and program. It also features exercises for beginner, intermediate and advanced students, as well as preschool children.
Where: The Tyson Fitness Challenge is held at participating gymnastics clubs across the United States. To find a local club, call 1-800-345-4719 or visit www2.usa-gymnastics.org/search.
When: The Tyson Fitness Challenge is held anytime between Feb. 21 and National Gymnastics Day (Sept. 18, 2010). Clubs host the program during that time when it is most convenient for them, either as stand-alone sessions or incorporated into existing programs and classes. The culmination of the program is voluntary participation in National Gymnastics Day’s fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network.
Why:
- Today’s children are considered the most inactive generation in history.
- Approximately one in five kids is overweight, a percentage that has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Childhood obesity is considered the most common nutritional disorder of U.S. children. (American Obesity Association)
- Obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults. One study found that approximately 80 percent of children who were overweight at 10-15 years old were obese adults at age 25. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Gymnastics clubs are a fun and safe environment and many already have fitness-related activities and classes.
- The basics of gymnastics provide a solid foundation for becoming physically fit and preparing to participate in other activities and sports.
The 2010 Tyson Fitness Challenge has been updated with new nutrition information, games, handouts, and additional training materials to provide all the tools you will need to reinforce the message of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
You can find these features as part of the improved 2010 Tyson Fitness Challenge:
- Tyson Fitness Challenge quick facts, including marketing and media ideas for program promotion, how to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network, Challenge prizes and administrative requirements for the program
- How to organizing the Tyson Fitness Challenge, with details on session formatting, determining your participants levels of fitness, and setting fitness goals
- Four Fundamentals of Fitness, outlining cardiovascular exercises, strength training, flexibility and nutrition as the main components for fitness, as well as resources which demonstrate each of the fundamentals
- Nutrition topics and handouts, including proper ways to fuel the body for exercise and portion control secrets
All the above information as well as two bonus segments, which include group “station” exercises and gymnastics-specific weakness prevention exercises demonstrated by 2008 Olympic team silver-medalists Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan, the 2009 world all-around champion, can be found online at
www.tysonfitnesschallenge.com.
